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THE CAPTIVE 



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l'IUVATEI>Y PRINTED 

BALTIMORE 

1888 




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THE CAPTIVE 






AND OTHER EARLY RHYMES 



BY 



Nathanifx Holmes Morison 




PRIVATELY PRINTED 
BALTIMORE 

1888 






H Souvenir 

FOR MY CIIILDBEN. 



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(fiftg (Copies ^rinteb. 



JOHN MURPHY & CO., PRINTERS, 
BALTIMORE. 



TO 



WITH THE KIND REGARDS 
OF THE AUTHOR 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Dedication ' 

Independence Day ^ 

The Captive ^^ 

Union Village ^^ 

To Agnes ^^ 

Acrostics "^"^ 

For an Album ^^ 

To MY Sister, Caroline ^^ 

To THE Same ^^ 

In THE Album of a Stranger 58 

Keflections 

To A Lock of Hair ^^ 

An Album 

PI 
Moral Strength 

Song for the Golden Branch ^^ 

Exhibition Ode 

Song '^ 

The Indian Assault '° 

1* 



6 Contents. 

Page. 

Per Alpes Transitus Hannibalis 81 

Banquet Song 86 

Song for Class Day 89 

The Wreck of the Adeline 92 

Song for Naushon 94 

Sword-Fishing Song 96 

Sonnet 99 

Dedication Ode 100 

Centennial Ode 103 

Soldiers' Monument 106 

Ordination Hymn 108 

To Sidney 109 

ToPriscilla 110 

To MY Bible 112 



TO 

SIDNEY, MY DEAR WIFE, 

THE BELOVED OF MANY YEARS. 

A gentle voice, a winning smile, 

A heart both soft and ti^ue ; 
A generous trust that Jcnoics no guile, 

A love forever new ; 
Devotion with unselfish aim 

To sweet domestic life ; 
Obedience sicift to evei^y claim 

Of sista-, mother, wife; 
A thoughtful care and tenderness, 

A courage evei" sure ; 
Prudence and will without excess. 

And faith that icill endure ; — 
These traits thy gentle life has shown 
With grace and sweetness all thine own. 



188S. 




1Introbuctoii\ 



INDEPENDENCE DAY. 



This clay a corner-stone was laid 
Of empire broad and grand ; 
This day our fathers, undismayed 
By tyrant's frown or hireling's blade, 
For freedom and for country made 

A pledge of heart and hand ; — 
A pledge of life and honor fair, 
Of wealth and all that wealth can bear ; 
A pledge of love which here bestows 
The purest joy that manhood knows ; 



lO Independence Day. 

Of home where gathers all we love, 

Of peace, bright gleam of heaven above ; — 

All these our fathers cheerful gave 

A country for their sons to save. 
Hail then to each immortal name 
That gleams upon that scroll of fame, 

The charter of our land ! 
All honor, all renown and praise 
Upon these saints of other days ! 
And may the arch they sought to raise 

Forever stand. 
Firm as the rocks that steadfast frown 
O'er fair Monadnock's lofty crown. 

I turn from them, the noblest band 
That ever guarded freedom's land, 
Or freedom's guiding charter planned, 
To other climes as fair and bright, 
But scourged with dark oppression's blight. 



The Captive, n 



THE CAPTIVE. 



The patriot's plaintive strain I sing, 
When freedom's cause lay weltering 
In blood the tyrant vainly shed, 
To bind the crown upon his head ; 
When high on Europe's cheerless night 

A flaming meteor burst ; 
An instant, with its dazzling light, 
To guide the traveller's steps aright. 
To rouse his hopes, those hopes to blight. 

Then die a thing accursed. 
Oh ! did that power to me belong. 
That, through the northern minstrel's song. 

Infused its strength divine, 
I'd touch the lyre with fingers skilled. 



12 The Captive. 

Till every heart witli horror thrilled, 
And blood in coursing veins were chilled, 

To hear a strain like mine. 
Presumptuous thought ! begone full soon ; 
For heaven will never grant the boon. 



II. 



But who can paint the dungeon's gloom, 
"Where sad the captive serves his doom, 
Whom proud oppression's arm has torn 
From friends that love and hearts that mourn? 
AVho can describe the brow scilate ? 
The heart all drear and desolate? 
The listless eye that cannot trace 
Tiie wrinkles furrowed on the face? 
The man whose ear no more retains 
A knowledge of his clanking chains. 
Nor heeds the sound of bolt or bar 
That echoes through the vaults afar ? 
Who, buried in his dungeon deep. 



Tlie Captive. 

Till all his senses seem to sleep, 
Doth often raise his fading eye, 
As if to view the azure sky, 
Whose image years of fiendish art 
Could never l)anish from his heart? 
If such there be, his song should tell 
The tortures of earth's deepest hell, 
What captives long did think and feel 
Immured ^vithin tlie French Bastille. 



III. 



^Twas midnight, and the placid Seine 
Eolled darkly on its winding way ; 

Above the cloudless moon was seen ; 
Below the troubled city lay, 

\yiiose bright illuminating glare 

Far on the stilly night did stare ; 

For lamp and torch did brightly gleam, 

Contending with the moon's pale beam. 

Along the glaring street was heard 
2 



14 The Captive, 

The seutiy's measured tread ; 
Tlie challenge hoarse and shrill watch- word 
From angry lips the night wind stirred, 

And struck the heart with dread ; 
And the clattering of wood-clad feet 
Went sounding on through lane and street. 



IV 



High frowning o'er the city bright, 

The lofty Bastille hung ; 
Eight massive towers threw back the light 
Of moon or torch, which o'er the night 

A radiant vesture flung ; 
And soldiers, tramed in guarded tent, 
Pace slowly on the battlement, 
And watch with fearful anxious eye. 
The forms that glide in silence by; 
While round, in circling heaps afar, 
Are piled the iron bolts of war. 



The Captive, 15 



The walls twice fifty feet arise, 

Thrice three in thickness they, 

With deep broad ditch, their strength defies 
The flower of war's array ; 

Yet ere to-morrow's setting sun, 

This fortress shall be lost and won ; 

Lost by a troop of warrior men, 

Won by the infuriate citizen. 



VI. 



Within that high and massive wall 

Is many a dreary cell ; 
And many a tale that would appal, 
Of murder's groan and mercy's call, 

Those gray old rocks might tell. 
'Tis well their tongues kind nature sealed, 
Or such dark tales had been revealed. 
That man, a dreadful truth to know, 



) The Captive, 

Had ceased to feel for human woe ; 
And yet, to show the captives' state, 
One, only one, Avill I relate. 

VII. 

Deep in his cell at noon of night, 

The lonely captive lay ; 
He knew not that the moon was bright, 
Or that the city, bathed in light, 

Rivalled the orb of day. 
Shut from the world, he lingered there, 
A monument of blank despair ; 
Nor shining moon nor torches dim 
Dispelled the gloom of night for him. 
His eye had lost the sparkling fire 
That youth and health alone inspire ; 
And, sunk within its socket deep, 
Did yet its midnight vigils keep. 
His hair was gray, his hand with age 
Had withered in his dungeon cage. 



The Captive. I7 

One leg was gone, the other lay 
Half-wasted by the damps away ; 
But round his ankle even yet 
The cruel fetters, firmly set, 
Enchained the cripple, sad and sore, 
Unpitying to the marble floor. 
Filthy rags o'er wool flocks spread 
Composed his only chair and bed ; 
AVhile stone above, beneath, around, 
When seen at noontide, sternly frowned. 
A grated window, high and small. 
Placed deep within the massive wall, 
Could only at the noon of day. 
Admit a feeble struggling ray ; 
But long ere day has winged its flight. 
That cell is buried deep in night. 

Vin. 

There on his bed with watchful eye 
The lonely captive lowly lay ; 
2* 



; The Captive. 

He often turned, and oft a sigh 

To faint expression found its way ; 
And fast adown his furrowed cheek 

Tear after tear successive stole ; — 
His manly purpose all too weak 

To check the torrent's wild control. 
He deemed that time and sorrow deep 

Had dried the fountains of his heart ; 
For long, long years he could not weep, 

And grief to him had lost its smart. 
Why sighs he then at midnight hour ? 

Why turns he thus from side to side ? 
Why feelings now resume a power 

That long and dreary years denied ? 
Perchance, in dreams he seemed a boy. 

Through meadows bounding wild and free ; 
Perchance a man, and could enjoy 

Once more the world's serenity. 
Perchance he dreamed that time at length 

Had turned the tyrant's heart of stone ; 
Yf ith faded youth and wasted strength. 



The Captive, 19 

He trod the cold, wide earth alone, 
And passed the crowd to all unknown, 

A stranger in his native land, — 
No kinsman's eye to greet his own, 

No friend to grasp his withered hand. 
So dreamed he, and the bitter tears 

Came streaming from his swollen eyes ; 
He sighed, awoke, suppressed his fears. 

And yet fond hopes of freedom rise. 



IX. 



In youth, ere yet the fatal dart 

Had pierced his young and gladsome heart. 

And forced him from the world away. 

To poison every future day. 

He danced the fields of living green. 

And roamed the banks of lovely Seine, 

A gay and reckless boy. 
He claimed a father's tender care, 
A mother's ardent love did share. 



20 The Captive. 

And pleasures pure, and visions fair, 

Did his young heart enjoy. 
He loved the fields, the vine-clad hills. 
And oft beside the tinkling rills, 
That sung their merry course along. 
Would sit for hours and list the song, 
That seemed in tranquil waves to roll 
Its notes through his enraptured soul. 
The changing clouds, the stars, the wind 
With him held converse, and his mind. 
Now shattered by his wrongs and age. 
Drank deep from many a classic page. 
His taste was pure, his feelings told 
They came from nature's finest mould ; 
His heart, so soft yet stern to dare. 
It seemed that naught was wanting there ; 
Sweet music in his soul did lie ; 
The poet sparkled in his eye ; 
A nation's heart he bore along. 
And chained enraptured to his song. 
Even now, to the admiring stage. 



The Captive, 21 

He seemed the Shakspere of his age ; 
Even now his fickle country smiled 
On him as her most gifted child. 
His hopes were high, his visions bright, 
Too soon, alas ! to set in night. 



X. 



The glow of youth had passed, and now 
The sun of manhood lit his brow. 
He saw his country faint and bleed, 
Like a hard-spurred, far-ridden steed. 
With bitter tears he mourned the day 
She owned the Bourbons' iron sway, 
Nor sought, though fond of peace and rest, 
To lock the feeling in his breast. 
His country^s wrongs did thus inspire 
His hand to touch the tuneful lyre ; 
He struck a chord whose plaintive tone 
Seemed but the nation's stifled moan. 
Now high, now low, with that sad wail 



22 The Captive. 

Did breasts responsive rise and fail. 
As when the heart, with anguish wrung, 
Supplies a prayer and prompts the tongue 
To speak ; now the sound of bitter woe 
Is choked with sobs ; now faint and low 
Is heard ; then, bursting all restraint, 
It pours a loud and sad complaint. 
So rang that lyre ; its early strain. 
So low and sad, did scarce complain ; 
But, as it rolled its notes along, 
More earnest grew the plaintive song. 
Until it seemed in waves to roll 
Its moanings through the human soul. 



XI. 



So rang that lyre, yet few were they 
Who listened to its mournful lay ; 
For soon its strain, now pitched so high. 
Has caught the censor's watchful eye. 
And never more will lips of men 



The Captive, 23 

Repeat those pensive notes again. 

His works proscribed, himself they brand 

As traitor to his native land ; — 

That land his heart had loved so well ! 

That land for which he fain would sell 

His birthright ! yea, would drain his veins, 

Or brave a dungeon's cruel chains ! 

That land whose wrongs had fired his soul ! — 

To her a traitor ! to enroll 

His name with theirs, the base, 

The vilest of the human race ! 

This was the bitter thought that stung 

His soul with pain severe ; 
And this the piercing sound that rung 

Forever in his ear. 
Compared with this, the clank of chains 
Had been the minstrel's merry strains ; 
Compared with this, the rack, I say. 
Had turned his heart from grave to gay ; 
The gibbet been a welcome name ; — 
He only wished a spotless fame. 



24 'ri^^ Captive, 

XII. 

He loved his country, and he wept 

The wrongs 'neath which she tamely slept ;- 

This was his crime. For this they tore 

His heart from all it loved before ; 

From kindred, friends, the earth, the skies ; 

From man and human sympathies. 

For this, pronounced his hapless doom, 

And shut him in a living tomb. 

For this they made him wear a chain ; 

For this his honor sought to stain ; 

For this, insult ; for this, deny 

The wretched pleasure even to die. 

But bid his life-blood still to flow, 

And still prolong his ceaseless woe. 

xni. 

In summer when the fields were clad 
In verdure, and all nature glad ; 



The Captive, 2$ 

And when from morn till eve of day, 
The songster poured his merry lay, 

They shut him in his cell ; 
And many a summer came and went. 
And songsters' lively strains were spent. 
But on his ear, in dungeons j^ent, 

No living voices fell. 
He heard no more the lips of men. 
And every sound by hill and glen 

Had bid his soul farewell. 
Mute was the slave, that, mom and eve. 
His scanty crust and broth did leave ; 
Mute was the smith, who, thrice each sun, 
His chains examined one by one, 
And mute the sentry evermore 
Pacing along the corridor. 
No human voice that silence broke ; 
But the walls answered when he spoke. 



26 The Captive, 

XIV. 

Thus years rolled on, but left no trace 
To tell their flight, save that his face 
Was stamped with many a farrow deep, 
And that his eyes forgot to weep. 
Still wept his heart ; still sighed he low, 
Tliough the salt tears refused to flow. 
He learned at length to rest, with head 
Unpillowed, on his marble bed ; 
He learned to hear his clanking chain, 
Nor feel his bosom pierced with pain ; 
He learned to crave his wretched food. 
To love his dungeon's solitude. 

XV. 

He saw the harmless insects crawl 
Upon the loathsome prison's wall, 
And fe]t, beneath that vault of stone, 
Though lonely, he was not alone. 



The Captive. 27 

Those insects ever creeping there 
Did all his warm affections share. 
To them his food he oft did lend ; 
The spider soon became his friend ; 
The timid mice came forth to play, 
And skipped about right merrily. 
He watched their capers, and forgot 
The sorrows of his hapless lot ; 
Forgot his chain, the bolted door, 
And all the wrongs he felt before ; 
He seemed a moment free, and then 
Sad, sickening thoughts returned again. 

XVI. 

Thus years rolled on ; no changes came ; 
His sighs, his pastimes all the same ; 
And still untried, unsentenced there. 
He lay deep buried in despair. 
Three lustrums he had worn his chain. 
And life's dark sun began to wane, 



28 The Captive. 

The visions of his youth had fled, 
And hope's last lingering spark was dead, 
When night enclosed the world once more. 
And he, flung loosely on the floor, 
Was wrapped in sleep ; and lo ! a light 
Streamed through his cell intensely bright. 
Its sudden flash and dazzling beams 
Awoke the sleeper from his dreams. 
He leaped the window high to gain, 
And frantic broke the heavy chain 
That bound his limbs ; then summoned all 
His strength to scale the naked wall; 
But vain his efforts ; block or stone 
To aid his ascent there were none. 

XVII. 

Now from the prison far and near. 
Loud cries of fire ! fire ! reached his ear. 
The guard cried as he left his post, 
O ! Blessed Virgin, we are lost ! 



The Captive, 31 

But his heart shrunk with instant fear, 
To see the pale monster standing near, 
And he listened every sound that came, 
To learn the progress of the flame. 
And now the tumult seems to rise. 
And now a single moment dies ; 
Now bursts again upon his ear ; 
And now a voice he seems to hear. 
" Can it be his," he eager cried, 
" Who late to gay Versailles did ride ? " 
Yes, no, his beating heart rejoined. 
And calmed the transports of his mind. 

XX. 

An hour has passed ; he hears no more 
The tumult through his bolted door ; 
The light has left his gloomy cell ; 
Each voice has bid his ear farewell ; 
And, save the sentry's solemn round. 
Dread silence reigns in gloom profound. 



32 The Captive, 

The captive laid liis aching head 
Once more upon his lonely bed ; 
But spectres, through the gloomy night, 
No longer stalked before his sight. 
His weakness now he saw with pain, 
Regretted the extinguished flame. 
Since it had left him thus again, 
A victim in the hands of men. 
A long, sad, sleepless night he passed. 
But the dull morning da^vned at last. 
The smith renewed his chains once more. 
And days rolled on as they rolled before. 

XXI. 

Since morning closed that gloomy night, 
Three lustrums more have winged their flight ; 
And, lo ! the captive, still in chains. 
Endures the rack of sterner pains. 
His mind, by long afflictions torn. 
Had every injury calmly borne. 



The Captive* 

And voices never heard before 

Eesounded through the corridor. 

He list those sounds with strange delight, 

Though filled with horror and affright ; 

For since captivity began 

He scarce had heard the speech of man ; 

And every tone his ear did greet 

Like the soft notes of music sweet. 



XVIII. 

He listened, and he knew the flame 
From the vast pile of the Bastille came ; 
For he heard along the prison's side, 
As one voice spoke and one replied. 
" While thus the flames our strength defy, 
Shall these ' caged birds ' be left to die ? 
To waste in cells to ovens turned ? 
To be by lingering torture burned ? " 
" The rules are strict," the other said, 
" To transgress is to lose my head ; 
3* 



30 The Captive. 

And yet I would not see them burn, 
Though bar or bolt I dare not turn. 
Speed thou for life, for mercy speed, 
To gay Versailles on fleetest steed. 
And bring me from our gracious King, 
A warrant sealed with signet ring. 
For life, for death thou must wait 
Or thou shalt rue the captives' fate." 
" I go," said he, " though death I meet," 
And the walls echoed to his feet. 

XIX. 

The captive heard, his heart was chilled. 
And every vein with horror thrilled ; 
For grim, pale death, in ghastliest guise. 
Glared on him with his stony eyes. 
And clenched his fists, and, fierce and grum, 
He seemed to howl, " I've come, I've come." 
For years the captive's voice arose 
In prayer for death to end his woes ; 



TJie Captive. 33 

While yet he deemed that heaven above 
Sustained him with eternal love ; 
But such fierce anguish wrings his brow, 
He deems himself deserted now ; 
And this dark thought disturbed more, 
Than all the wrongs he felt before. 

XXII. 

A tumor, armed with pains severe. 

Had clasped his withered knee. 
His mind, oppressed with gloomy fear, 

Was sunk in misery. 
Erect no more, his hoary head 
He laid upon his prison bed. 
Distressed, alone, with every breath. 
He breathed a silent prayer for death ; 
Or cursed with impious lips the day 
That smiled upon his birth so gay. 



34 27/^ Captive* 

xxin. 

Thus days passed on, no soothing balm 
"Was brought his burning pains to calm ; 
No friend was near to dress tlie limb, 
Or speak a cheering word to him. 
The pains increased, from day to day 
The putrid flesh did fall away. 
Until he deemed each sun that rose 
Would bring an end to all his woes. 
But still its beams did morning give, 
And still he did not cease to live. 

XXIV. 

At length a surgeon came ; but he, 
Well versed in human misery. 
Was forced to wipe the bitter tears 
From eyes that had not wept for years. 
He bade the smith remove the chain, 
And sought to soothe the captive's pain 



The Captive, 35 

By all the means his art supplied. 

With warmest hope and zeal he tried 

To save life's taper, flickering dim, 

But could not save the sickly limb. 

He bade the sufferer then prepare, 

The pain of severed nerves to bear ; 

And, when the King's consent were known. 

He would remove the aching bone ; 

For even this required to be 

Confirmed by such authority. 

The King had left Yersailles, and fast 

To the far distant South had passed. 

XXV. 

Eight weary days the captive lay. 
And bore the pangs of slow decay ; 
Eight weary days, with constant care. 
The surgeon sat beside him there. 
And sought, with all a Christian's zeal, 
To soothe the pain he could not heal. 



36 The Captive, 

The cajitive's heart, so sad and sore, 
Oppressed with all the wrongs he bore, 
Now melts, and tears bedew his eye. 
To meet with human sympathy. 
His lips, that lately breathed a curse 
On God, mankind, tlie universe. 
Now move in prayer, and now in praise 
To God, the author of his days. 
His mind relieved and calmed again. 
He scarcely deemed his knee a pain. 
So light were now the pangs he bore. 
Compared with those he felt before. 

XXVI. 

And when the mandate came, he knew 
That doubtful was the breath he drew ; 
For the heavy door was opened wide. 
And in a hoary priest did stride. 
Who spoke of death, of suffering. 
And many another holy thing. 



The Captive, 37 

To all he said the captive list, 

Received the offered eucharist, 

And, when the holy man was gone, 

And he was in his cell alone. 

He raised to lieaven an earnest prayer. 

To end his life and sorrows there. 

Bnt heaven had doomed him still to sigh 

For years, and then unbound to die ; 

In the free air to meet with death, 

Untainted by a dungeon's breath. 

XXVII. 

And soon the skilful surgeon came, 
To part the members of his frame ; 
He soon divided flesh and bone ; 
Soon tied the arteries one by one ; 
Soon the ice and bands applied ; 
And soon he staunched the purple tide. 
Nor did the captive loud complain. 
But bore unheard the subtle pain, 
4 



38 The Captive. 

Until the limb was borne from view, 

When sighing he bat said adieu, 

And swooning dropped upon the bed, 

Which late the attendant gaoler spread ; 

For his pillow was a stone before. 

His only bed the oaken floor. 

Forty long days in pain he passed. 

And, lo ! the Avound is healed at last ; 

And the smith has come to clench the chains 

Around the ankle that remains. 

XXVIII. 

Three lustrums more have passed away ; 
'Tis midnight's lonely hour, I say; 

The captive now doth weep. 
In dreams he roamed the fields once more. 
And listened to the water's roar. 
And saw the friends he loved before ; 

But, when aroused from sleep. 
He found the dungeon still his home. 



The Captive, 39 

Nor heard the waters leap and foam, 
Nor saw the fields he loved to roam, 
And, see, like rain the big tears come. 

And down in torrents sweep ; 
For many a vision dark and bright 
Come thronging o'er his faded sight, — 
Fair, youthful scenes, in age's night 

Still stamped on memory deep. 
And thus the silent tears do seek 
To drench the captive's furrowed cheek. 

XXIX, 

'Tis morn ; the earth the bright sun greets. 
And Paris, through her crowded streets, 

A living tide doth pour. 
No power can now its course control. 
As waves on waves successive roll. 

Each swelling more and more. 
From every building close or wide. 
Gushes forth the angry tide ; 



40 The Captive. 

While lashing round the Bastille's side, 

The torrents chafe and roar. 
1^0 hand can now avert thy fate, 
Thou earth-born hell, at last, though late. 

Thy towers are doomed to fall ; 
For, lo ! a nation raised to life. 
Each heart with direful vengeance rife. 
In clamorous shouts the deadly strife 

For thy destruction call. 
So loud each shout, so fierce each yell, 
It seemed that every fiend in hell 

Had been in upper air ; 
Yet not a voice of all we hear 
Hath reached the captive's eager ear. 

Or pierced a dungeon there. 

XXX. 

'Tis noon, and still collects the throng ; 
Still rush the mighty waves along ; 
Still lash against the Bastille's side, 



The Captive. 41 

And boundlDg echo far and wide, 

In wild tumultuous roar. 
An hour has passed, the bell strikes one, 
That in the central tower has hung. 

For ages three or more ; 
And now from window, roof, and street. 
Flames burst in many a fiery sheet ; 
Volley on volley in the heat 

Of burning rage they pour ; 
And groans and shouts terrific meet, 

The troubled city o'er. 
The balls, like rain-drops, strike the wall. 
Then harmless to the earth do fall ; 
'Midst flame and smoke the towers on high 
Look down in fearless majesty. 
On, on the maddened people come, 
Nor banner gleams, nor pealing drum 

Directs their hasty feet ; 
And louder still the shouts arise, 
Missile on missile swiftly flies. 

And muskets flame athwart the skies, 

4* 



^.2 The Captive. 

Soldiers and people meet. 
Stern death through all the conflict flies, 
Her bloody feast to greet. 



XXXI. 

But hark ! the earth shakes 'neath the tread, 
And deafening peals of thunder dread 

The lowest dungeons hear ; 
For now the Bastille's cannons spread 

Destruction far and near. 
Dyed deep in gore of martyrs dead, 
High waves a flag of bloody red 

Upon a pointed spear ; 
Each softer passion now has fled ; 

Vengeance alone is dear. 

XXXII. 

But see, amid the deadly strife, 
"Where angry passions sport with life, 



The Captive. 43 

A helpless maid is borne along, 
Sustained by an insulting throng. 
" De Launay's daughter, he whose sway 
Is o'er the Bastille's walls to-day," 

Loud ruffian voices cry ; 
" Let the child answer with her life. 
The father's conduct in the strife," 

Ten thousand tongues reply. 
And now to where bright flames of red 
Shoot from many a burning bed, 

The helpless maid they bear ; 
But ere they reach this awful pyre, 
A youth, before whose glance of fire 
The mob on either side retire. 

Shakes his bright sword in air. 
With angry look and panting breath. 
Snatching the hapless maid from death. 

He cries, " By heaven, I swear, 
If one this lovely virgin harm. 
He falls 'neath my avenging arm ; 
His life blood, oozing fresh and warm. 



44 The Captive. 

The thirsty earth shall share/' 
Thus loud he spoke, and his dark eye, 
In stern resolve, flashed fearfully. 
The ruffians quail beneath his brand, 
Fixed the astonished people stand. 
And learn the maiden has no claim 
To proud De Launay's hated name. 

XXXIII. 

The clock strikes five ; the whirlpool's rage 
Around the captive's rock-built cage, 

Is fiercer than before. 
The drawbridge falls with thundering crash ; 
On, on the maddened people dash ; 
Falchions gleam, and muskets flash. 

And treble thunders roar ; 
Axes on massive portals clash ; 

The streets o'erflow with gore. 



The Captive, 45 

XXXIV. 

The summons once, and yet again, 
De Launay heard with high disdain ; 
But now, compelled by urgent fate, 
He yields reluctant, but too late 

A frightful death to shun ; 
He opes the tottering portals wide, 
In rushes fast the living tide. 
And shouts the tiring breezes ride ; 

The Bastille dread is ^von. 
Low bows the monarch's cherished pride. 

And sets his golden sun. 

XXXV. 

The captive heard the cannon's peal, 

That shook the massive pile ; 
He heard the thundering clash of steel 

Against the gates, the while ; 
And now he hears the deafening din. 



46 The Captive. 

Of men and arms the walls within ; 
He hears them rush with shouts along ; 
He hears the blows of hammers strong ; 
He feels his rock-built prison shake ; 
He sees the heavy hinges break, 
The massive bars of iron crush, 
And in his brave deliverers rush. 
They snatch him from his chains away. 
And bear him to the light of day. 
Strange thoughts and feelings undefined 
Came crowding o'er his feeble mind. 
His midnight dreams by day fulfilled 
Seemed but a warning heaven had willed. 
Exhausted nature could no more 
Support the weary load he bore ; 
He only asked the sun to see ; 
He saw, — and died in ecstacy. 



The Captive, 47 

XXXVI. 

Such is the captive's tale so rudely suug, 
Such the deep wrongs his gentle bosom stung ; 
Such one dread echo from that cage of stone ; 
Such the foul caverns 'neath the glittering throne. 
Would you learn all the captive's tale of woe, 
Eead Silvio's Prisons, Maroncelli know ; 
And do you still his name and kindred ask, 
Read then the sufferings of the Iron Mask. 

1838. 




48 Union Village, 



UNION VILLAGE. 



A FAREWELL. 



Farewell to Unionville, 

Farewell to all that's there; 
I go but shall remember still 

The joys I once did share. 
In thee I laid my boyish schemes 

To act in after life, 
While playing by thy beauteous streams 

Unknowing care or strife. 
But now those days have passed away, 

And I can here no longer stay. 

How oft I've wandered far and near 

Upon thy lovely hills ; 
How fair those woody steeps appear. 

To hearts unvexed by ills ; 



Union Village. 49 

But fairer still and lovelier yet 

Thy silvery waters glide, 
Whose sparkling gleams, like pearls in jet, 

I've watched with boyish pride. 
But I must take my 2)arting view, 

And bid these beauteous scenes adieu. 

In thee IN^e spent my happiest days, 

My boyhood's gayest hours. 
And now I can but sing thy praise, 

When parting from thy bowers. 
My breast sweet recollections fill, 

How through thee I did roam. 
And knew thee, lone and lavely vill. 

As boyhood's happy home. 
But now I hear the parting knell, 

So once again farewell, farewell. 



Peterboro', 1833. 



50 To Agnes. 



TO AGNES. 

Fair lady, now I bid farewell 

To one whose worth I know ; 
On thee my thoughts will often dwell, 

When far away I go ; 
Thy virtues for a guide 1^11 take, 

When I'm beset with ill; 
Our friendship formed for friendship's sake, 

Shall be for friendship still ; 
And, though I roam o'er land and sea. 
My heart shall ever cling to thee. 

That gentle voice, so often heard 

Like music soft and sweet ; 
The pleasant smile, the cheering word. 

That did my coming greet; 



To Agnes, 51 

That heart to soft emotions kind, 
Those hands so swift to move; 

That sweetness, grace, and truth, combined 
With tenderness and love; — 

Oh ! these shall ever with me stay, 

Koam o'er the world where'er I may. 



Peterboro', 1833. 



5 2 Acrostic, 



ACROSTIC. 

As the compass and chart, wlien the storm winds 

are raging, 
Guide safely the ship o'er the dark rolling brine; 
Not otherwise virtue, calm, sweet, and engaging. 
Each pleasure enhancing, each sorrow assuaging. 
Shall guide you securely with wisdom divine. 

Peteeboro', 1834. 



ACROSTIC. 

May the eve of thy life be as calm and serene. 

As its morning is cheerful and gay ; 

Roll back, ye dark clouds, that would cover the 

scene ; 
Ye pleasures, be kindly and stay. 

Peterboeo', 1834. 



For an Album. 53 



FOR AN ALBUM. 
James Green. 

I write not here to please each eye, 
That chances o'er these leaves to stray, 

Whose stranger glance, in hurrying by, 
Stays but to criticise my lay. 

No critic eye my lines invite, 
Stranger, for thee I do not write. 

I write not here the world to tell, 
That I have drunk Castalia's spring. 

Have seen Parnassus' summits swell. 
And heard the vocal muses sing. 

Oh ! that such claims were truly mine. 

The muse should breathe in every line. 
5* 



54 For an Album. 

I write not here to gather fame, 
Or bind the hxurcl round my head ; 

I write not to preserve my name, 
When life with all its joys has fled. 

Ko ! purer motives tune my lyre, 
And all its friendly themes inspire. 

For I do Avrite, my friend, for thee. 

That, when thou dost peruse my rhymes, 

Thy thoughts may far, far backward flee. 
To other scenes and other times. 

Should they recall our youth again. 
Oh ! then I have not writ in vain. 

I write that, when long years have fled. 
And cares and sorrows choke thy way. 

When early hopes and schemes are dead. 
Thou then may'st read my youthful lay; 

May'st drop a tear on friendship's shrine. 
And claim once more a thought of mine. 

EXETEB, 1836. 



To my Sister y Caroline, 55 



TO MY SISTER, CAROLINE. 

My sister dear, and must thou go ? 

And will they tear thee thus away ? 
I ask not now for days — oh ! no ; 

I ask thee but an hour to stay. 

It will relieve the sting of pain ; 

'Twill give me yet an hour of bliss ; 
And, when our hearts are rent in twain. 

How fondly shall I cherish this ! 

Speak not ; I read thy thoughts aright ; 

I see tliy bosom sink and swell ; 
Fast gushing tears obscure my sight ; — 

The hour has come — to say farewell. 



1837. 



56 To the Same, 



TO THE SAME. 

And we must part. Ah ! cruel thought ; 

What deeper sorrow can I feel ? 
Why, wretched hour, didst thou, unsought, 

Upon us so perfidious steal ? 

How can I view the western sky. 
Which we so oft have gazed upon, 

Without recalling, with a sigh, 
These happy hours forever gone ? 

How can I watch the glassy stream. 
Beneath the moon's resplendent rays. 

When, in its soft reflected beam, 
One only image meets my gaze ? 



To the Same. 57 

Or how Contoocook's banks along, 
Thus lonely can I roam again ? 

My mind will saddened memories throng, 
Of all I am, of all I\^e been. 

Farewell, for thou must seek a home 
Far, far beneath the setting sun ; 

Yet sometimes leave a thought to roam 
To where life's checkered course begun. 

Farewell ; but should absorbing care 
Permit remembrance to aAvake, 

Let me thy thoughts some moments share ; 
I ask it for our mother's sake. 

Farewell, and yet I would impress 
One kiss, my ardent love to tell ; 

But oh ! what language can express 
The anguish of a last farewell ? 

Peterboro', August, 1837. 



58 In the Album of a Stranger, 



IN THE ALBUM OF A STRANGER. 

Go little book, from every friend 

A flower of love receive ; 
Their varied hues in beauty blend, 

And friendship's garland weave. 

Let every name recorded here 

On memory's tablet shine ; 
Each word of friendship be sincere, 

Each heart be true to thine. 

To all thy fortune, all thy fame, 

A stranger though I live. 
These lines to thee in friendship's name, 

A stranger-friend would give. 

Exeter, 1836. 



Reflections. 59 



KEFLECTIONS. 
For H. p. D. 

The blooming summer sweetly sheds 

Its beauties bright, its smiles serene ; 
The blushing rose its fragrance spreads, 

And all the fields are clothed in green. 
A few short months, and lo ! a change. 

And such a change as chills the heart ; 
From hill and dale and forest range. 

Decaying verdure will depart. 

So life to us is shining bright. 
Its summer sun already gleams ; 

We taste its pleasures, and delight 
To revel in its fairy dreams. 



6o ReflectiQ7ts, 

But soon, too soon, these days must pass, 
And all that would our hearts enslave. 

Our joys, our hopes, our dreams, at last 
Must anchor in the silent grave. 

And what is life ? A rapid stream, 

Where pains and pleasures ceaseless flow; 
A transient hope, a fleeting dream, 

A cup of mingled joy and woe; 
A dreary vale which pilgrims pass 

To reach the blooming fields beyond ; 
A moving tale to which, alas ! 

Alternate hopes and fears respond. 

And happiness, thou fickle child. 

Where is thy long sought loved retreat ? 

Is it where fortune's sun hath smiled. 
And honors proud ambition greet ? 



! 



Reflections. 6i 

Is it where pride no wealth will spare, 

An idle fancy to amuse? 
Oh ! no ; thou surely art not there ; 

Abode of pride thou wilt not choose. 



But in those hearts where virtue reigns, 

Which sweet humility possess. 
Where piety an empire gains, 

There, there alone is happiness. 
What pleasures pure, what joys untold. 

Await a faithful soul like this. 
Since death to it can but unfold 

A world of ever growing bliss. ! 



Exeter, 1836. 



62 To a Lock of Hair, 



TO A LOCK OF HAIR. 

Yes, sacred lock, and dost thou sigh, 
The fair one's temples still to deck ? 

Still graceful on her brow to lie, 

Or float in ringlets round her neck ? 

I blame thee not ; for she is fair 
As angel form in realms above ; 

She guarded thee with tender care, 
And gave thee all a parent's love. 

She taught thee every pleasing grace. 
That her quick eye had learned so well, 

And twined thee in the sweet embrace 
Of flowers whose fragrance o'er thee fell. 



To a Lock of Hair. 63 

And thou, amidst the mazy dance, 

Where youth and pleasure joyous meet, 

Didst smile at each approving glance, 
That seemed her fairy form to greet. 



And oft upon her temples fair, 

"When darkness bathed her eyes in sleep, 
Thou didst, with grateful love and care, 

Unwearied vigils o'er her keep. 



But now, within a narrow cell. 

Which her fair hands for thee have wrought. 
Thou dost a lonely captive dwell : 

Such change a single hour has brought. 



Oh ! never may such be the lot 

Of her who doomed thee thus to pine ; 

E'en though her beauty be forgot. 
And all her graces cease to shine. 



64 To a Lock of Hair, 

Yes, sacred gift, with pious care 
I'll keep thee for the giver's sake ; 

That friendship only would I share, 
Whose silken cords can never break. 

Such, lady, is the love I claim. 

And such I deem mine own should be 

Though near or distant still the same, 
In friendship constant yet to thee. 




1 



An Album. 65 



AN ALBUM. 

Fanny Jane Hopkins. 

Motto. — Onivardj upward, heavenward. 

Onward, fair motto for a mind 
Conscious of its heavenly birth ; 

Onward and onward still to find 

New beauties spread o'er all the earth ; 

And when life's golden sun shall set, 

Eternal progress waits it yet. 

Upward the willing soul wall rise, 

With nature's promptings for its guide ; 

Aspire to reach its native skies, 
In God's own bosom to abide ; 

And deem itself no more a whole 

Thus linked to the eternal soul. 

6* 



66 A7t Album, 

But heavenward revelation points, 
And bids us seek the narrow way ; 

With holy oil the soul anoints, 
And gilds it with a heavenly ray ; 

And, in the Saviour's holy name, 

It bids us angel-pleasures claim. 

Then "onward, upward, heavenward,'^ still, 
Soar like the eagle to his nest ; 

Thy mind v.'ith heavenly wisdom fill, 
Thy soul in radiant beauty vest ; 

And when thou bid'st the world good-night, 

Thou, too, shalt bathe in heaven's own light. 

Cambridge, 1838. 



i 



Moral Strength, 67 



MOKAL STRENGTH. 



I oft have seen the blooming rose, 
Hard struggling to withstand 

The unrelenting gale that blows 
Destruction o'er the land ; 

But, rising when the storm was o'er. 

It looked more lovely than before. 

So virtue, a celestial flower. 
With vice doth oft contend, 

And, like the rose beneath the shower. 
It sometimes seems to bend ; 

But when the strife has passed away. 

It will a nobler strength display. 



68 Moral Streno-tJu 



<i> 



Firm and more firm it will appear, 

Each folly to oppose, 
When malice, envy, hate and fear. 

In frenzy round it close ; 
For these, like toil of shop or farm. 
Serve but to strengthen, not to harm. 

Like lights upon a stormy coast, 
Like stars in midnight drear, 

'Twill guide us in our vagrant course. 
Through this dark valley here ; 

And, with a calm, celestial ray, 

Conduct us to eternal day. 

Exeter, 1834. 



Song for the Golden Branch. 69 



SOKG FOE THE GOLDEN BRANCH. 

Tune. — Auld hang Syne. 

Haste, brothers, haste, and gather round 

The altar of our choice. 
Whence come the soft, persuasive tones 
Of friendship's sacred voice. 

For we, a band of brothers stanch. 

Make learning our pursuit ; 
And, gathered round the Golden Branch, 
We'll pluck the golden fruit. 

Let misers delve for hidden gold. 

To sordid aims confined ; 
We seek a treasure richer far, — 

A broad and cultured mind. 



70 Song for the Golden Branch. 

For we, a band of brothers stauch, 
Make learning our pursuit ; 

And, gathered round the Golden Branch, 
We'll pluck the golden fruit. 



Let grovelling ignorance plod along 

Her dark and gloomy way ; 
'Tis ours to seek the lofty heights, 
Bathed in refulgent day. 

For we, a band of brothers stanch. 

Make learning our pursuit ; 
And, gathered round the Golden Branch, 
We'll pluck the golden fruit. 

And may we so pursue the task 

That we have here begun. 
That blessings on our heads shall rest, 

When life's great work is done. 



Song for the G oldest Branch. 71 

For we^ a band of brothers stanch, 

Make learning our pursuit ; 
And, gathered round the Golden Branch, 

We'll pluck the golden fruit. 



Come, brothers, since we soon must part, 

Once more our bond renew ; 
For we must soon, in sorrow's tones, 
Say each to all adieu. 

But still our hearts shall firmly keep, 

While life goes sweeping by. 
The holy vows that we have made. 
And Friendship's Sacred Tie. 

EXETEK, 1834. 



y2 Exhibition Ode. 



EXHIBITION ODE. 



Days of our youth ; they glide away 

Like fancy's fleeting dream, 
While pleasure's constant smiles appear, 

And joys around us beam. 
Days of our youth ; though years may pass 

Life's hallowed cup to fill, 
Yet memory's pure, undying ray 

Shall hover o'er you still. 

We hasten on with rapid strides 

To life's appointed goal ; 
But strive with wisdom's holy light, 

To animate the soul ; 



Exhibition Ode. 73 

To seek the fount whose limpid streams 

Our thirsting minds invite ; 
Where knowledge swells the crystal flood, 

And kindred hearts unite. 



'Tis virtue's calm, unchanging ray 

That sweetens earth below ; 
That makes the distant future bright, 

And softens hours of woe. 
Then let it shine, a brilliant star, 

O'er life's perplexing way, 
And guide us through this darksome night 

To heaven's eternal day. 

And still, when thinking o'er the past, 

One friend shall ever claim 
The warmest feelings of the heart, 

While glows the vital flame. 



74 Exhibition Ode. 

Long shall remembrance of his care 

Our grateful bosoms swell, 
Though now we speak the parting word, 

The solemn, long farewell. 



We part, as brothers, closely joined 

In friendship's holy tie, 
While fond affection swells the heart. 

And sorrow heaves a sigh ; 
We part, to run our destined course, 

In bands of sacred love. 
To meet, we trust, when earth has passed, 

In endless joys above. 

Exeter, 1835. 



Song. 75 



SONG. 

Students' Celebeation. 

Birthday of Liberty ! 
Auspicious morning ! we 

Hail thy return ; 
Day of our country's birth, 
Day when the fettered earth 
First of thy magic worth, 

Freedom, did learn. 

Day when oppression sighed. 
When freedom's banner wide 
Streamed to the gale ; 



.76 Song. 



Let every heart rejoice, 
Proud of our fathers' choice, 
And every grateful voice 
Liberty hail. 

This is our chosen land. 
Here we united stand, 

A towering rock ; 
By the oppressor feared. 
By the oppressed revered, 
By heavenly wisdom reared. 

Slavery to mock. 

Land of the mighty free, 
Kefuge of liberty, 

Home of the brave ; 
We love thy rocky shore, 
Thy banner we adore. 
Floating so proudly o'er 

Tyranny's grave. 



Song. 77 

Sun of this western sky, 
Rise to thy zenith high 

O'er the wide earth ; 
Spread through its gloomy maze, 
Freedom's reviving rays. 
Till every tongue shall praise 

Liberty's birth. 



ExETEB, July 4, 1836. 




7* 



^8 The Indian Assault 



THE INDIAN ASSAULT. 

An Exhibition Part. 

High in its orb the sun serenely briglit, 
Poured down its golden beams of heavenly light ; 
No zephyr blew, no joyful songster sang, 
Nor sound, nor echo through the forest rang. 
Peace filled the skies above, and smiling lay 
The blooming earth in foliage richly gay. 
Far in the forest rife ^vith human woes, 
A little hamlet lay in sweet repose. 
'Tis Sabbath morn ; its pious inmates throng 
The holy aisles and raise the choral song ; 
In lofty strains, where hearts with lips unite, 
They praise, O God of heaven! thy throne of light. 
But hark ! what sound, what shriek of wild despair, 
Midst songs like these awakes the breathless air ? 



The Ifidian Assault. 79 

'Tis heard again — one wild, unpitying roar 
Of fiendish shouts, more dreadful than before. 
The Indians come ! the Indians fire the vill ! 
From voice to voice is echoed wild and shrill. 
The mother clasps her child, turns deadly pale ; 
Heart-rending shrieks the arching roof assail. 
One soft embrace the sire can only claim, 
Girds on his sword, and dares the threatening flame. 
The holy house poars forth a warlike band. 
Who seek the foe, and combat hand to hand. 
The war-whoop sounds, the vengeful arrows fly, 
The din of battle rends the vaulted sky; 
While rising flames with raging fury glow. 
And clouds of smoke envelop friend and foe. 

The little band a doubtful fight maintain, 
Attack, repulsed; repulsed, attack again; 
While blasts of wind sweep from the hills afar, 
EoU on the flames, and swell the tide of war. 
iSTow deep despair their last fond hope has riven. 
For rescue now, they only look to heaven. 

Eut hark ! above the battle's deafening roar. 



So The Indian Assault, 

A voice of thunder comes, their courage to restore. 
A man unknown darts in to stay the flight, 
Exhorts, commands, turns back the raging fight. 
He comes, with hoary locks and reverend mien, 
Like one from heaven, descending all unseen. 
His looks divine their fainting hearts inspire. 
To turn once more and dare the hostile fire ; 
"While shrieks, the flames, and his firm voice implore 
To make one strong, one desperate effort more. 
'Tis done ; before the charge the foe gives way ; 
The man unknown decides the doubtful day. 

But oh I what anguish fills their bosoms high. 
To see their homes in fiery ruins lie ; 
While many a son and brother round them lay. 
Stretched on the earth to gasp their breath away. 
The stranger, too — where has the stranger gone ? 
There's no reply but echo's answering tone. 
He came in fight, departed when 'twas o'er ; 
They knew him not ; they never saw him more. 

Exeter, 1835. 



Per Alpes Transitus Hannibalis. 8i 



PER ALPES TRA:NtSITUS HANNIBALIS. 

An Exhibition Part. 

Jamque Aurora oceanum relinquens, 
Et coruscans coelo sub alto, nive 
Oppletos spargit gelidosque montes 
Lumine pulcro. 

Et cadente frigido nunc Boote, 
Nix, gelu concreto, cacumina alta 
Obruens abrupta refulgit late 
Lucido sole. 

Jamque fessis militibus labore 
Duro, contusisque animos, amoenos 
Hannibal monstrat viridesque campos 
Italiae almae, 



82 Per Alpes Trans it us Hannibalis, 

Inclita Komae altaque moenia armis 
Et triumphis ; praemia digna, acerbliin 
Quae, dicit, fortuna et iis laborum 
Termina dabit. 



Atque vix haec ediderat, statim cum 
Lubrica procedere jugo ab alto, 
Et via angusta Lybiae superbae 
Agmina densa. 

Neve radices manibusque lapsi, 
Neve virgulta avio monte in alto, 
Eminentes ; sed glaciesque uives 
Omnia tegunt. 

Jamque fessi titubant ; secantque 
Per gelu ; jumenta hominesque cadunt, 
Et volutantes alii in gelu acri 
Supra aliosque 



Per Alpes Transitus Ha7mibalh. 83 

Cum riiina horrenda ; aliique adhaerent 
Alte concreta in glacie, quasique 
Alto suspendent pedibus de coelo, hor- 
ribile visu ! 



Per fera prolapsi aliique saxa 
Saepe perfringunt peuitus, per Alpes 
Undique funduntur eorum hie illic 
Corpora mixta. 

Jamque defessi variis periclis 
Et fame, in colles veniunt apricos, 
Valibus curvis apud atque rivos 
Castraque ponunt. 

Late agros annos populando multos 
Traxerant pugnandoque, ubi Hannibal tum 
Ut cater va invaderet cum potente 
Constitit urbem, 



84 P^r Alpes Transitus Hannibalis, 

Et eo procedere coeperat, quum 
Antecedens miilto tiinorem acerbum 
Fama cum luctu turnido superbae 
Attulit urbi. 



Undique ploratus in urbe tota 
Moestus exauditiir ; et imdique actae 
Matronae terrore ruunt deoruoi 
Circiter aras, 

Crinibus passis ; duplices ad astra 
Et deos tolluntque manus, et orant 
Ut ii Romam eriperent cruenti 
Manibus hostis ; 

Atque ut aras, ut liberos, ut matres 
Tuto servarent ; trepidantque ; tota 
Urbe discurrunt ; nee amicum ab hoste 
Cernere possunt. 



Per Alpes Transitus Hannibalis, 85 

Haec deus, rex magnus Olympi, at vota 
Audit, instructas aciesque nimbis 
Et procellis ter dirimit, ter atque 
Intonat alto. 



Exeter, 1836. 



86 Banqtiet Song. 



BANQUET SONG. 
Sophomore Class Supper. 

Tune. — Auld Lang Syne. 

Hail, brothers, hail the festal hour ; 

The banquet hall is gay ; 
Here, plunged in pleasure's lulling tide, 
AYe'll drive dull care away. 

Then fill the cup with rosy wine, 

Drain every goblet dry ; 
Swell loud the song of festal mirth, 
While circling bumpers fly. 

Here laughing youth and pleasure meet, 
Here sound the notes of glee ; 

Let wit and humor lend a charm 
To glad festivity. 



Banquet So7ig. 87 

Then fill the cup with rosy wine, 

Drain every goblet dry ; 
Swell loud the sounds of festal mirth, 

While circling bumpers fly. 

Two years have sped since first we met, 

On silent pinions by, 
Whose dreams, bright gleaming through the past, 
In sweet remembrance lie. 

Then fill the cup to by-gone days. 

Drink, drink the sparkling wine, 
And swell a louder, loftier strain 
To days of "Auld Lang Syne." 

Two years are gone, and half our days 

Of college life are o'er ; 
We bid adieu to pleasures past. 
And welcome those before. 

Then raise the choral song again, 

Speed round the bowl once more ; 
We bid adieu to pleasures past, 
And welcome those before. 



88 Banquet Song, 

No storm disturbs the tide of joy, 

No clouds the sky overcast ; 
In hope we paint the future bright, 
In memory view the past. 

Then raise the choral song again, 

Speed round the bowl once more ; 
We bid adieu to pleasures past, 
And welcome those before. 

The jovial banquet now must close, 

The festive hours have sped ; 
"We part — but yet we meet again 
When two short years have fled. 
Then fill another brimming bowl. 

The fullest and the last. 
And louder sing, we meet again 
When two short years have passed. 

Cambridge, 1837. 



Song for Class Day, S9 



SONG FOR CLASS DAY. 

Harvard University. 

We meet while grief each bosom swells, 

That late but pleasure knew, 
To hear the prayers of those we love. 
And bid a kind adieu. 

We meet — to part at manhood's call, 
When youth's fond dream is o'er ; 
When life's young joys are all behind. 
Its mysteries before. 

And well may sorrow fill the heart, 

A tear the eye confess. 
As now we leave the haunts we've loved. 

And friendship's fond caress ; 

8* 



90 Song for Class Day, 

As now ^ye leave the mates our hearts 
Have cherished long and well ; 

As to the joyous scenes of youth, 
We say at last farewell. 

Four years — how long and dark they seemed 

When early youth looked on, 
And yet how soon their tale is told, — 
They will be, they are gone ; 

Gone like the dew-drop from the flower. 

Like summer's tinted bow. 
Like fancy's dream at twilight hour. 
Like angels come below. 

Here other voices will be heard, 

Here other feet will tread, 
While we, by fortune's varying star. 
O'er life's dark sea are led. 

Farewell, ye groves, which summer winds 

Still murmur lightly through ; 
Farewell, ye halls, where oft we've met, 
Ye classic walks, adieu. 



Song for Class Day. 91 

Now, classmates — ah ! how many tales 

That single word can tell — 
Come, clasp a brother's proffered hand, 
His blessing claim, farewell. 

Farewell, and though we meet no more 

Till life's last link is riven, 
"We'll raise above one heartfelt prayer, 



To meet again in heaven. 



July 18, 1839. 



'^^^ 



92 TJu Wreck of the Adeline. 



THE WEECK OF THE ADELINE. 

Far on the ocean's restless tide 

A gallant vessel lay ; 
Her lagging sails hung loose, her side 

Scarce felt the wild waves play ; 
The winds were hushed, and near and far 
The angry waters ceased to war. 

But see, far o'er the sunset sea, 
Dark, threatening clouds appear ; 

They rise, they rise convulsively, 
As if a storm were near ; 

And now the ocean's distant roar 

Proclaims the wind-god loose once more. 



The Wreck of tlu Adeline. 93 

The seamen view the threatening skies, 

And furl each dangling sail ; 
They watch with well-experienced eyes 

The coming of the gale ; 
And think, as billows round them foam, 
Of friends beloved, their own sweet home. 

The wind sweeps on resistless now ; 

The slumbering waters wake ; 
The billows rush from stern to prow ; 

The proud masts creak and break ; 
The bark sinks deep, deep in the wave, 
And o'er her still the billows rave. 

But ah ! the seamen, where are they ? 

Ask of the wave that floated near ; 
No tidings will the winds convey 

To a wife's or a loved one's ear ; 
Yet doth their very silence tell 
That deathful tale as true and well. 

SCITUATE, 1838. 



94 Song for Naushon. 



SONG FOR NAUSHON. 

Am. — Sweet Vale of Avoca. 

From the dust of the city, the noise of its streets, 
From the warehouse, the pulpit, and college retreats. 
The merchant, the parson, the student has come, 
O'er smiling Naushon for a season to roam. 

And beauty comes too, with her bright beaming face. 
With her smiles and her sweetness each pleasure to 

grace. 
To watch, from the hill-top, the sky and the sea, 
As clouds move majestic and billows roll free. 

And the Governor gives to each pleasure a zest, 
By his flashes of wit or a well-pointed jest ; 
He has welcomed us all, with a hearty good will. 
To his realm 'midst the waters, his home on the hill. 



Song for Na7ishon. 95 

Less bright is the sun when he sinks in the west, 
And folds his proud mantle of gold o'er his breast, 
Less lovely the richest drawn tint of the sky, 
Than the clear light that flashes in woman's soft eye. 

Less free is the deer that bounds gaily along, 
Less blithe is the lark as she carols her song. 
Than the minds and the hearts of the party upon 
The beautiful island of merry Naushon. 

Inspired by its beauty, so free and so gay. 
We'll laugh and we'll sing all our sorrows away ; 
We'll roam through the forest, or sail by the shore, 
Bidding care to depart and molest us no more. 

Naushon, July^ 1839. 



96 Sword-Fishing Song, 



SWORD-FISHING SONG, 



Our sails are up, the breeze is fair, 

The light waves round us play, 
And through the brine the cup-fish shine 

In beams of early day. 
We leave the tranquil bay behind, 

And, far upon the deep, 
Through surge and foam where sea-sharks roam, 

The graceful Fawn doth sweep. 

The gleaming skies are bright above, 

And bright the waves below ; 
While song and mirth to joy give birth, 

Our hearts enraptured glow. 



Sword-Fishing Song, 97 

Now watch the surge with eager gaze, 

For here the sword-fish roves, 
Whose fin and tail, like mast and sail, 

Betray the path he moves. 

See, there in proudest mood he comes, 

Like a fearless warrior on ; 
The barbed sea-lance, like lightning's glance. 

Shoots down ; — he sinks, he's gone. 
Down, down like leaden weight he goes. 

To yawning caves beneath ; 
But through the brine he drags a line, 

That binds him fast to death. 

Now man the boats in eager haste^ 

The line draw slowly in ; 
With failing strength -comes death at lengthy 

And we the prize shall win. 
So tack the sheets, all hands above ; 

No time for mirth or play ; 
And soon on deck, a lifeless wreck, 

The armed monarch lay. 



g^ Szvord-Fishing Song, 

And there in all his pride he lies, 

With sword so sharp and strong ; 
No more he'll roam through sea and foam, 

The coral groves among. 
Then back to fair Naushon, my boys. 

With joyous hearts, and gay ; 
Let toast and wine with song combine 

To close the merry day. 

Naushon, July, 1839. 




Sonnet 99 



SONNET. 

In youth's fair morn, when life is new, 
And the young, joyous heart beats high 
With hope and love ; and sorrows fly 
Afar, and vanish like the early dew, 
When day's star comes, with smiles, to woo 
It upward, danger still is nigh. 
Though all concealed ; for flattery, 
With lying breath is there, the hue 
Of ruddy health to change, and o'er 
The mind a sickly paleness spread. 

The heart and giddy brain to store 
With all that youth should shun to wed. 
My friend, still lovely as before, 
Through every path of life be led. 



1839. 



i<^ Peterbord Academy. 



PETERBOEO' ACADEMY. 
Dedication Ode. 

We meet no pageant train to view, 

In idle pomp displayed, 
No crowns to weave, no garlands twine, 

A victor's brow to shade ; 
But oh ! we meet with holier thoughts, 

A nobler sight to see, 
We meet to-day to consecrate 

This temple, truth, to thee. 

No classic walks are here to tell 

Their many tales of yore ; 
No ancient grove or time-worn rocks, 

With memories clustered o'er ; 



Peter bar o' Academy, loi 

Oh ! no ; but here in native strength, 

The forest green is spread, 
Through whose tall trees this holy spire 

In triumph lifts its head. 

As o'er its roof, high throned in clouds, 

The storm-beat branches wave. 
And near its base the wooded earth, 

Soft flowing w^aters lave ; 
So may'st thou o'er the youthful mind. 

Proud science, stretch thy sway ; 
And so may knowledge deep and clear. 

Wash error's seeds away. 

May gifted youths and maidens bright, 

From valley, hill, and plain. 
Come here to drink at learning's fount. 

And truth immortal gain ; 
And may they here, by science led. 

All mysteries explore. 
And with the wisdom of the past. 

The memory richly store. 

9* 



I02' Peterbord Academy. 

And long may those, whose liberal hands 

Have reared this sacred shrine, 
Rejoice to see it thus fulfil 

Its ministry divine ; 
And may it send, each coming year, 

"With youth's high hopes elate, 
A band to be the pulpit's pride. 

The pillars of the State. 

August, 1837. 




Centennial Ode, 103 



CENTENNIAL ODE. 
Peterboro' N. H., 1839. 

Through devious ways and paths unknown, 
Through forests dark and drear, 

Our fathers sought these mountain streams. 
To plant their offspring here. 

They came not forth from princely halls, 

To wasting pleasures sold ; 
They came not as the Spaniard came, 

To seek for mines of gold. 

But, strong in purpose, high in soul. 

In virtue armed secure, 
They came from homes affection blessed. 

They sought for homes as pure. 



104 Centennial Ode, 

Through years of toil, through years of want, 

They bravely struggled on, 
And lo ! the forest melts away, 

The prowling wolf is gone. 

Their flocks increase, and fields of corn 

In summer breezes wave, 
And plenty crowns the smiling board, 

When winter tempests rave. 

And soon, while busy life flows on. 

And hardship slowly flies. 
They see on fair Contoocook^s banks 

Their pleasant hamlets rise. 

Their names are left for us to bear ; 

Their spirits — they are fled ; 
And yon lone hill has gathered in 

The harvest of their dead. 



Centennial Ode, 105 

Their homes, their graves may be forgot, 

And yet they will be blessed. 
So long as we, their sons, shall own 

The spirit they possessed. 

Baltimore, 1839. 



io6 Soldiers' Monument. 



SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 
Dedication Ode. 

Beside the river's rippling tide, 
The green wood arched above, 

To our brave dead we consecrate 
This monument of love ; — 

To men who, when the thunder shock 
Of war burst o'er the land. 

With patriot zeal left all to join 
The nation's mustering band ; — 

To men who, fired by country's love, 
Flung her proud flag on high. 

And dared, to stay the traitor's arm. 
Beneath that flag to die. 



Soldiers' Monument. 107 

Some lie by broad Potomac's flood ; 

One near Antietam moulds ; 
Some sleep by James ; the crater some 

In its dark bosom holds. 

On southern fields, in storms and floods, 
In swamps with noxious breath, 

By battle's shock or fever's heat, 
They met a soldier's death. 

Brave souls ! to you we rear this pile. 

To you, who nobly gave 
Your lives, a willing sacrifice. 

Your country's life to save. 

Long may it grace our village grove. 

Long tell from sire to son. 
That death for right is never death, 

But life immortal won. 

Peterboro', 1870. 



io8 Ordination Hymn, 



ORDINATION HYMN. 

O ! thou, whose love our fathers did inspire, 
To rear, in faith, this temple large and free. 

Fill this young heart with all a prophet's fire, 
And build in us an altar worthy thee. 

Teach him to speak thy counsel boldly here. 
To guide, exhort, encourage, and reprove ; 

With fervent zeal, and yet with reverent fear. 
Pronounce thy judgments and proclaim thy love. 

Grant him and us thy spirit's quickening power. 
Plant our firm faith on Christ, the living rock ; 

In joy and doubt, in sorrow's weary hour. 

Bless thou and help the shepherd and the flock. 

Baltimore, 1873. 



To Sidney. 109 



TO SIDNEY. 

IVe loved thee when the summer's sun 

Poured its full radiance down ; 
I've loved thee when the spring was young, 

When autumn's leaves were brown. 

I've loved thee when the streams were bound 

In winter's icy chain, 
And when the sun in Taurus rides 

To bid them leap again. 

I've loved thee, and I love thee still ; 

But words, how poor are they. 
To tell the love, the glowing love 

That fills my heart to-day. 

Baltimore, 1846. 
10 



no To Priscilla, 



TO PRISCILLA, 

On Receiving a Ball of Cotton Twine, with 
SOME Verses on North and South. 

The cotton sure is Southern grown, 

And she who sent it too ; 
But not the less beloved she. 

That in the South she grew. 

Her heart may glow with Southern pride ; — 

Her grace is all her own ; 
Her taste, and skill, and strength of will 

Are culled from every zone. 

The South may rear the cotton boll ; 

The North may make the twine ; 
But love, and faith, and tenderness 

Will North and South combine. 



To Priscilla. in 

A daughter's winning look and smile, 

Wherever she may dwell, 
Will ever bind a parent's heart 

With chains invincible. 

Christmas, 1886. 




112 To my Bible. 



TO MY BIBLE. 
By S. B. M. 

Guide of my life, to thee I look 
For comfort and for peace ; 

Thou art the holy, blessed book 
Whose beauties never cease. 

In youth, when snares around me lie 
To tempt my wandering feet, 

If thou, my faithful friend, art nigh, 
I safe these dangers meet. 

When sickness shakes my feeble frame 
And age has dimmed my eye, 

And He, from whom my spirit came, 
Warns me that I must die ; 



To my Bible, 



113 



Oh ! then, if I have followed thee, 
And safely kept thy word, 

How joyful will the summons be 
To meet my father, God ! 



1840. 




LE S '21 



